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I am curious how other atheists deal with the holidays. We've already discussed elsewhere how being atheist does not preclude enjoyment of sacred music, but what other cultural events are pertinent?
This last week I gave all my students bags of candy. I tell everyone not to give me anything, but promise to practice over the two week break. When I lived in larger cities it was not unusual to perform in a dozen or more Messiahs, in venues from string quartet to full orchestra, and even to do a bit of conducting.
Praying is awkward, when that comes up, and I have had people remark on me not bowing my head, even going so far as to tell me to do so, as if I were a child needing direction.
I enjoy the christmas season. It's a great holiday...and it's a national holiday to me...not a religious holiday. I give gifts, I receive gifts, I go out to dinner with friends, I decorate, etc.
No, I don't pray, although I will bow my head in respect for my friend's beliefs, but not in respect of the beliefs.
from Old English haligdæg "holy day, consecrated day, religious anniversary; Sabbath," from halig "holy" (see holy) + dæg "day" (see day); in 14c. meaning both "religious festival"
Otherwise, it's a hypocrisy as non believer should be not celebrating a HOLY day.
Of course, it's a far fetched premise, as it requires one to follow his or her own principles and how many will....
Neither my family nor I have ever celebrated Xmas. I think I must've been to no more than 6 or 7 Xmas parties in my entire life. At work I usually get cornered into secret santa but that's about it.
As phet, I don't make a big deal out of bowing my head.
If our celebrated Xmas was even remotely connected to the day of this supposed Jesus' birthday......but since it's not, it's otherwise a conglomeration of many enjoyable pagan practices.
If our celebrated Xmas was even remotely connected to the day of this supposed Jesus' birthday......but since it's not, it's otherwise a conglomeration of many enjoyable pagan practices.
Yeah, pretty much. I'm not at all convinced JC even existed.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Quote:
Originally Posted by old_cold
If our celebrated Xmas was even remotely connected to the day of this supposed Jesus' birthday......but since it's not, it's otherwise a conglomeration of many enjoyable pagan practices.
This. Among my family and friends one family is religious and they are in another state, so we don't see them at Xmas. I can't remember the last time I was around anyone that tried to make it into anything other than a fun celebration of giving and eating.
I am curious how other atheists deal with the holidays. We've already discussed elsewhere how being atheist does not preclude enjoyment of sacred music, but what other cultural events are pertinent?
This last week I gave all my students bags of candy. I tell everyone not to give me anything, but promise to practice over the two week break. When I lived in larger cities it was not unusual to perform in a dozen or more Messiahs, in venues from string quartet to full orchestra, and even to do a bit of conducting.
Praying is awkward, when that comes up, and I have had people remark on me not bowing my head, even going so far as to tell me to do so, as if I were a child needing direction.
Christians appropriated what was a popular pagan celebration of the winter solstice and the subsequent rebirth of the sun. Although I hold no pagan beliefs, I see no reason not to employ pagan symbolism to brighten up what is otherwise a cold and dreary time of year.
Jesus was not originally the reason for the season, after all.
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